Quarter-brick bus converters achieve 98% peak efficiency

Vicor Corp. announces quarter-brick modules in its IBC048 series of VI BRICK Bus Converters. Available as drop-in upgrades for industry standard 5:1 and 4:1 converters, the new quarter-bricks achieve up to 98% efficiency, delivering up to 650 W at 9.6 or 12 V from a nominal 48 V within a 38 to 55 V input range. The new modules expand on the capabilities of recently announced IBC048 eighth-brick modules with 300 and 500 W power ratings.

IBC048 series modules, using Vicor's Sine Amplitude Converter topology, are pin-compatible with, technologically superior to, and offer higher performance than industry standard "square wave" bus converters, which are fundamentally limited by switching losses to low operating frequencies, low power densities, and low bandwidth.
The new VI BRICK Bus Converters use the same Vicor-patented ZCS/ZVS resonant converter technology that powers V.I Chips in high performance Factorized Power Architecture applications.

Switching at approximately 10 times the frequency of square wave converters, IBC048 modules cut transient response time by a factor of 10, eliminating the need for external bulk capacitors. Superior power density and conversion efficiency enable competitive advantages for OEMs seeking to maximize performance across a range of applications, including computing, data storage, networking and Power-over-Ethernet.

Priced at less than $0.12 per W in OEM quantities, IBC048 modules are a cost-effective, high performance alternative to obsolete bus converters and dc-dc converters dissipating twice as much heat and taking up a larger volume obstructing air flow. Samples of IBC048 series bus converters are available from stock.

For more information, contact Vicor Corp., 25 Frontage Rd., Andover, MA 01810. Phone: (978) 470-2900.